YOUNGSTOWN In a year that brought many changes to the way people worshipped in local churches, the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown also was challenged by the death of Bishop George Murry on June 5.
Five months later and still in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic area Catholics celebrated as Pope Francis named David Bonnar as Murry’s successor on Nov. 17.
Murry died at 71 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York after battling acute leukemia for the past three years. He went into remission twice, but lost his battle on the third recurrence.
On May 26, the diocese announced Murry had submitted his resignation to Pope Francis. He died before the pope could approve his request.
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The next few days normally is a time when area churches are filled to capacity for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced churches to alter their services and traditions because of restrictions on crowd size and social-distancing guidelines. Many churches canceled their Easter services in April because the pandemic was in its early stages and many moved to online services, with some still offering both live and online worship to accommodate people’s preferences. Others are having worship outside in parking lots.
Monsignor John Zuraw, chancellor for the Diocese of Youngstown, said parishes of the Diocese have all adapted for holding Christmas Eve Masses.
The next few days normally is a time when area churches are filled to capacity for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced churches to alter their services and traditions because of restrictions on crowd size and social-distancing guidelines. Many churches canceled their Easter services in April because the pandemic was in its early stages and many moved to online services, with some still offering both live and online worship to accommodate people’s preferences. Others are having worship outside in parking lots.
Monsignor John Zuraw, chancellor for the Diocese of Youngstown, said parishes of the Diocese have all adapted for holding Christmas Eve Masses.